Wildlife experiences don’t always require a passport stamp. These American safari-style lodges bring the spirit of Africa to the backyard of the U.S., combining close-up animal encounters with serious luxury.

Most people associate the word safari with the Serengeti, the Okavango Delta, or South Africa’s Kruger National Park. But you don’t have to leave the United States to get a taste of the safari experience complete with open-air game drives, tented camps, and gourmet dinners served under the stars. Across the U.S., a growing number of lodges are offering African-style safari experiences adapted to North America’s unique wilderness. Bison replace lions, grizzly bears take the place of leopards, and elk herds move across private grasslands as if it were the Masai Mara.

These American safari-style lodges are luxurious, remote, and deeply immersive. Whether located in the Great Plains, high deserts, or foothills of the Rockies, each offers a sense of adventure mixed with refined hospitality.

6 U.S. safari stays where the wild meets the five-star experience

The Resort at Paws Up – Greenough, Montana

Paws Up is perhaps the most famous safari-style resort in the country. Set on 37,000 acres of ranch land in western Montana, the resort is home to elk, deer, moose, and black bears—not to mention luxury accommodations that include tented camps, treehouses, and riverside cabins. Guests can take guided wildlife safaris across open meadows, horseback rides through pine forests, or take to the sky in a helicopter for aerial views of the rugged landscape.

Each tented camp comes with butler service, soaking tubs, and gourmet dining, combining wilderness with luxury. The resort also runs wildlife photography excursions and offers fly fishing, archery, and wilderness survival classes. For guests who want a safari-style adventure without sacrificing comfort, this is one of the top options in the U.S.

Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve – Raton, New Mexico

Owned by media mogul Ted Turner, Vermejo spans more than 550,000 acres in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. It’s one of the largest privately-owned conservation properties in the country and a sanctuary for wildlife like bison, black bears, mountain lions, and more than 1,200 elk. The experience is built around conservation and rewilding with luxury accommodations to match.

Guests stay in restored historic lodges or private casitas and are guided through the terrain by naturalists and trackers. Activities include wildlife safaris, stargazing, and conservation tours that highlight the ecological work being done on the property. The lodge maintains a zero-waste kitchen, and much of the food is sourced from nearby farms. It’s an American safari experience rooted in purpose and privacy.

Lone Mountain Ranch – Big Sky, Montana

Located just outside Yellowstone National Park, Lone Mountain Ranch offers guests a close-to-nature experience with access to some of the most biodiverse land in the U.S. The property includes rustic-chic cabins, daily guided tours into Yellowstone, and an abundance of wildlife in the surrounding forests.

While not as curated as an African safari, guests can spot bears, wolves, bald eagles, elk, and bison on open-air vehicle tours or backcountry hikes. Each stay includes a personal concierge, gourmet meals, and immersive educational programming. For families or first-timers to wilderness travel, this lodge provides a perfect blend of comfort and untamed beauty.

Safari West – Santa Rosa, California

Unlike the others on this list, Safari West is a true African wildlife preserve set in California’s Sonoma County. It’s home to more than 900 animals across 90 species including giraffes, zebras, antelope, cheetahs, and exotic birds. Founded by conservationist Peter Lang, the 400-acre preserve is modeled after an East African game park and offers authentic safari drives in open-air jeeps.

Guests can stay overnight in luxury safari tents imported from Botswana, complete with hardwood floors, private decks, and en-suite bathrooms. Wake up to the sound of flamingos and spend your day tracking giraffes through golden grasslands. Safari West is ideal for travelers looking for a family-friendly, animal-rich getaway without leaving the West Coast.

Zapata Ranch – Mosca, Colorado

Zapata Ranch, located near the Great Sand Dunes National Park, is owned in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and offers a working bison ranch experience in a setting that feels wild and wide open. The ranch is home to a 2,000-head bison herd that roams across 50,000 acres of high desert grassland. Guests are invited to join ranch hands on horseback and participate in real conservation and ranching efforts.

Accommodations are rustic-luxury cabins with modern amenities and views of the mountains or bison pastures. Beyond horseback safaris, guests can take guided hikes, photography workshops, and educational ecology tours. The experience is immersive, hands-on, and deeply connected to the land a different kind of safari that puts you inside the ecosystem rather than just observing it.

The Green O at Paws Up – Greenough, Montana

The Green O is a more secluded, adults-only offshoot of Paws Up. It features ultra-modern “haus” accommodations nestled in the forest, perfect for couples or solo travelers looking for quietude and privacy. Wildlife is abundant here, and while the focus is less on traditional game drives, guests can enjoy quiet forest walks, wildlife tracking, and nature-immersed spa treatments.

Each structure is designed for minimal environmental impact and maximum serenity, with floor-to-ceiling windows, hot tubs, and wraparound decks for wildlife viewing. Chefs prepare multi-course tasting menus each night using local ingredients. The atmosphere feels less like a lodge and more like a luxury retreat wrapped in wilderness.

What Makes a Safari Lodge American

Unlike the vast savannas of Africa, American safari lodges are tailored to local ecosystems. The animals may be different, but the principles are similar comfort in the wild, guided encounters with large mammals, and a sense of immersion in nature. These lodges focus less on seeing the Big Five and more on connecting with the land, the animals, and the history of each place.

Most of these properties blend conservation with comfort, offering guests a chance to experience rare or protected wildlife without traveling internationally. The service is elevated, the food is often farm-to-table, and the experiences are highly curated.

Key Takeaways

You don’t need to leave the U.S. to go on safari. Luxury lodges across the country are offering immersive wildlife experiences paired with world-class hospitality.
Properties like Paws Up, Vermejo, and Zapata Ranch combine large landscapes with responsible conservation and design.
From tracking bison on horseback to spotting giraffes in California, these stays offer something different than traditional luxury hotels.
American safari lodges often include private guides, off-grid settings, and upscale accommodations that rival anything found abroad.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just looking for a more meaningful vacation, these destinations provide adventure with purpose.

FAQs

Where is the best U.S. location for a safari-style vacation?

Montana, New Mexico, and Colorado have the largest number of properties offering authentic safari-style experiences, due to their vast landscapes and rich wildlife.

Are the animals in these places wild?

In most cases, yes. Places like Vermejo and Zapata feature native species living in protected wild habitats. Safari West, however, features exotic species in a controlled preserve setting.

Can kids stay at these safari lodges?

Many properties welcome families, especially Paws Up and Safari West. Others, like The Green O, are adults-only and focused on solitude and wellness

Do these safari lodges support conservation?

Yes. Most are actively involved in conservation efforts, land management, or partnerships with organizations like The Nature Conservancy.

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